Abstract
Objective The acylcarnitine profile is analyzed in dried blood spots (DBS) to screen for inborn
errors of metabolism. Hematocrit (Ht) is known to affect the result of quantitative
analyses of DBS samples; however, the effects of Ht on the acylcarnitine profiles
in DBS have not been studied in actual samples from newborns.
Study Design The acylcarnitine profiles in DBS for newborn screening tests and Ht levels of very-low-birth-weight
infants were obtained from medical records. We investigated the relationship between
Ht and each acylcarnitine using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r).
Results We examined 77 newborns in this study. There was a significantly positive correlation
between Ht and C0, C2, C12, C16, C18, C18:1, and C18:1-OH, respectively (p < 0.0025). The correlation was the greatest on C2 (r = 0.59).
Conclusion This study clarifies that Ht and C0, C2, C12, C16, C18, C18:1, and C18:1-OH are significantly
correlated in DBS, which is consistent with previous studies. Hence, the effect of
Ht should be considered when interpreting the results of acylcarnitine profiles in
DBS.
Key Points
-
Acylcarnitine profile in dried blood spots (DBS) is affected by the hematocrit (Ht)
of the sample.
-
There are positive correlations between Ht and C0, C2, C12, C16, C18, and C18:1-OH
in DBS.
-
We should be aware of the effects of Ht on acylcarnitine profiles in DBS.
Keywords
acylcarnitine profile - mass-spectrometry - dried blood spots - hematocrit
